Federal Programs

About Us

Airport Checked Baggage Screening Program

commercial airports in implementing and maintaining security compliance requirements and capabilities related to in-line Baggage Handling System electronic explosive detection screening of checked baggage, as mandated by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001 (Public

Law 107-71).

Agency - Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.

Program Accomplishments

New program; a number of improvement projects have occurred at U. S. commercial airports to expand or enhance screening of airline passengers' luggage. Improvement projects entail replacement of baggage conveyor systems or remodeling/reconfiguration of terminal areas to facilitate installation of equipment to screen baggage carried on commercial airlines.

Appropriation Statute or program guidance document; state, local, or other public entities/agencies responsible for commercial airport operations within their jurisdiction.

Beneficiary Eligibility

General public.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Documentation includes providing the scope of work, a concept of operations, drawings, estimated costs and estimated schedule. The airport improvement project proposed by the airport must involve the replacement of baggage conveyor systems or reconfiguration of terminal areas in order to install explosive detection systems. TSA and airport applicant, review a conceptual plan that includes the scope of work for facility modification, the type and number of required security screening technology units, the concept of operations, the estimated cost, and the estimated schedule.

Award Procedures

Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff, concerns negotiated with the applicant, and award processed. Awards usually take the form of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Congress is required to be notified 3 days prior to the issuance of an award under this program.

This program has an airline passenger boarding-based cost sharing or match requirement, as specified in the Appropriation Statute. Refer to program guidance for specific cost sharing/match information.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Refer to program guidance Negotiated by all parties and outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement Appropriations are made annually with no guarantee of future funding Awards may be subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

The following reports are required: Design drawings; all contracts the airport proposes to execute for work that exceed $10 million; detailed cost estimates to complete the project; monthly progress reports, including information concerning incurred costs and progress against the schedule; monthly progress reports.

Audits

In addition to the provisions of OMB circular A-133, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) executed between TSA and the recipient, states that the TSA Contracting Officer is authorized to audit all cost records incurred or anticipated to be incurred in the performance of the LOI project. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), &quot;Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations,&quot; nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards (or receive property, or a combination of both, within the fiscal year) will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year.

Records

Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award.